Poughkeepsie, NY… Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino and the Department of Mental Health (DMH) join communities nationwide to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day (Monday, August 31st), honoring lives lost and raising awareness about overdose prevention.
Overdoses continue to affect communities across Dutchess County, but recent data shows substantial progress. The County’s Overdose Response and Recovery Alliance—comprised of County departments, law enforcement, treatment providers, and community partners—reports overdose deaths have dropped nearly 50 percent since 2022, with 63 deaths in 2025.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “Every life lost to an overdose is one too many. Keeping our community safe means making sure our neighbors know they aren’t alone, and that help is available. I am so grateful to our Department of Mental Health team, under Commissioner Jean‑Marie Niebuhr, and to our Drug Task Force for their tireless work protecting and supporting our neighbors. Their dedication truly saves lives.”
Dutchess County is working across the spectrum of substance use, from prevention to recovery, to prevent overdose deaths. The Dutchess County Drug Task Force continues to reduce access to dangerous substances by dismantling narcotics distribution networks, while the Dutchess County Fatality Review Committee examines local overdose fatality to identify future opportunities for intervention and works with community partners to implement preventative strategies.
Education, outreach, and access to lifesaving tools are all part of Dutchess County’s overdose prevention strategy. DMH staff and community partners engage in ongoing community outreach, distributing Narcan kits, providing harm‑reduction education, and connecting individuals to care. This is life-saving work, as earlier this month during street outreach, DMH staff encountered an active overdose and administered Narcan to save the individual’s life.
In coordination with the Partnership to End Addiction, DMH also coordinates Overdose Spike Alerts to notify enrolled residents and service providers when clusters of overdoses occur, often due to contaminated drugs with lethal additives like fentanyl or xylazine and to promote harm‑reduction tools such as Narcan and fentanyl/xylazine test strips. To enroll, text “ENDOD” to 73539.
DMH Commissioner Jean‑Marie Niebuhr said, “Our goal is to make sure people have the knowledge, resources, and support they need to prevent an overdose and respond in a crisis. Our street outreach team was there to save one of our neighbors from tragedy - a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Every connection we make is an opportunity to prevent an overdose.”
Other Dutchess County overdose‑prevention tools include:
Narcan Vending Machines/Naloxone Boxes:
Dutchess County partners with MATTERS to operate vending machines that distribute free Narcan kits and fentanyl and xylazine test strips 24/7/365. Nearly 1,000 Narcan kits have been dispensed at the six machines countywide. Additionally, DMH has distributed more than 200 Naloxone boxes to organizations and businesses throughout Dutchess County to have resources available in an emergency.
Narcan vending machines can be found at the following locations:
Narcan Training:
DMH and the Dutchess County Department of Health (DOH) provide free Narcan training to anyone who may encounter someone who is at risk of drug overdose or misuse. In 2025, the county provided training to 1,750 individuals; and 406 so far this year. Trainings are available by request and can be scheduled by emailing DOHEducation@dutchessny.gov.
Empowerment Center:
Located at 230 North Road in Poughkeepsie, the Empowerment Center is available for anyone at any point along their mental health and/or substance use recovery journey, providing support from Recovery Coaches and peers. Walk-in hours are available Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 1:30-4pm.
24/7 Mental Health Services
The Stabilization Center, located in the back of the building at 230 North Road in Poughkeepsie, offers support for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use concern.
HELPLINE, available by calling 988 or texting 845-485-9700, connects residents with trained local mental health professionals, who can provide support and connect callers with local resources, including sending the Mobile Crisis Team directly to you. The HELPLINE app also provides access to 988 and other resources on any mobile device.
To learn more about available resources visit dutchessny.gov/behavioralhealth.
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